Leading Jurist Talks of Covid-19 “Police State” Moves

The powers used by government to enforce compliance with restrictions on movement have been heavily criticised by former UK supreme court Justice Lord Sumption who has said the public should not be “resigning their liberty” to ovewr-zealous citizens in uniform.

A Guardian article reported the former justice when he heavily criticised Derbyshire police for stopping people exercising saying that such behaviour risks plunging Britain into a “police state”.

Lord Sumption warned that police had no legal power to enforce “ministers’ wishes.”

“This is what a police state is like, it is a state in which a government can issue orders or express preferences with no legal authority and the police will enforce ministers’ wishes,” he said on BBC Radio 4’s World at One.

On Sunday it emerged that Derbyshire police had dyed the usually turquoise water of a lagoon black in the beauty spot to deter tourists from visiting. They took the action as groups were congregating at the disused quarry at Harpur Hill near Buxton.

Recently on LawFuel

• What Is an Offshore Asset Protection Trust? A Legal Tool Gaining Traction Among Global Professionals
  As the global economy becomes more interconnected—and more unpredictable—high-net-worth individuals and internationally mobile professionals are re-evaluating how they protect their… Read more: What Is an Offshore Asset Protection Trust? A Legal Tool Gaining Traction Among Global Professionals
• Australia Law News – Minter Ellison Announce 12 New Partners
  The 12 new Partners bring deep expertise across each of the firm’s chosen industries, including Education, Energy & Resources, Financial… Read more: Australia Law News – Minter Ellison Announce 12 New Partners
• “Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged by Beijing” — The Curious Case of Justice William Young and the Hong Kong Legal Circus
  What Is Sir William Young Thinking? John Bowie, LawFuel publisher There’s a moment in every legal career when the robes… Read more: “Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged by Beijing” — The Curious Case of Justice William Young and the Hong Kong Legal Circus
• Lawyer vs. Algorithm: Why AI Can’t Replace a Real Attorney
  Source: Cernitz Law, Miami In the age of artificial intelligence, it’s tempting to believe that a few clicks and a… Read more: Lawyer vs. Algorithm: Why AI Can’t Replace a Real Attorney
• Name-Change For Former Du Val Property Group’s Hamilton Firm
  The law firm co-founded by former Du Val Property Group lawyer Owen Culliney has changed its name from iCLAW to… Read more: Name-Change For Former Du Val Property Group’s Hamilton Firm
• NZ Law – Old Law Firm Shows New Growth
  How A Country Law Firm Continues to Expand >> In-House Role? Public Defence Work? Government Law? – See LawFuel’s Jobs… Read more: NZ Law – Old Law Firm Shows New Growth
• LegalAI – Holding Redlich launches firm-wide pilot of Cicero AI in partnership with Automatise
  AI Litigation Platform Begins Major Pilot Program in Australia Australia, 24 June 2025 – National law firm Holding Redlich has begun… Read more: LegalAI – Holding Redlich launches firm-wide pilot of Cicero AI in partnership with Automatise